Die DDR im Blick der Stasi 1971: Die geheimen Berichte an die SED-Fuhrung

In 1971, Walter Ulbricht resigned, and Erich Honecker became the new General Secretary. The MfS reports warned of growing dissatisfaction with the supply situation and presented a top-secret assessment of Honecker's election. The restructuring of the GDR economy was difficult due to deficiencies in prestige projects and energy supply, and escapes were the order of the day.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2022
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

The year 1971 marked a significant turning point for the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). In May, a pivotal event unfolded when Walter Ulbricht, the country's leader since 1960, was forced to resign. This marked the sole power transition within the GDR before the fall of the dictatorship in 1989. Under the leadership of the new General Secretary, Erich Honecker, State Security Minister Mielke was promoted to the Politburo, further solidifying the SED's grip on power.

To consolidate the new SED leadership's position, the Ministry of State Security (MfS) initiated a series of reports. These reports, known as mood reports, aimed to gauge growing dissatisfaction with the supply situation in the GDR. Additionally, Mielke presented a top-secret assessment of Honecker's election, further reinforcing the authority of the new regime. However, the challenges facing the GDR economy were manifold. The country faced significant deficiencies in its prestige projects, and the energy supply remained a pressing concern. The restructuring of the GDR economy, envisioned by Honecker, seemed daunting due to these obstacles.

Furthermore, the SED leadership had to grapple with the reality of frequent escapes across the border, which highlighted the porousness of the Iron Curtain. At the same time, it became evident that the four-power agreement on Berlin and the transit agreement would gradually erode the wall, marking the beginning of its eventual collapse.

In conclusion, 1971 was a year of significant upheaval for the SED and the GDR. The forced resignation of Ulbricht, the promotion of Mielke to the Politburo, and the introduction of MfS reports all contributed to the consolidation of the SED's power. However, the challenges facing the GDR economy, the growing dissatisfaction with the supply situation, and the cracks in the four-power agreement and transit agreement laid the groundwork for the eventual fall of the dictatorship in 1989.

Dimension: 237 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783525352267